Niall: If something like Candide is taught because it helps people to understand the basis of the American Constitution, then surely you can argue that evolution does the same for our biological systems? Yes, and if you're going to teach students about potential problems with circulatory systems (t...

irishrose wrote:Wow, that's really disappointing, particularly for the non-fiction selections.

Ditto.

George

It also worth noting that even if we accept the idea that public education should be "need" oriented, there is very definitely a need for the citizens of a democratic republic to have some understanding of the basics of science. We are called on to elect representatives and vote on issues ...

Using the word "random" or the phrase "shit happens" seems to me to be throwing in the towel and giving up trying to link causes to effects. This is the key difference between faith-based beliefs and science-based beliefs. Although, shit does happen...but it happens for reasons....

Chris: What always worries me, in discussions like this, is that we're discussing the validity of the principle of "cause and effect," more or less. Not that any of our members would do it, but I have seen these discussions spiral into the argument that none of us really has complete cont...

There's an essay on my website that sums up my approach to this issue. It's called "Chance, Karma and the roll of the dice" and is one I've included in the new book. Essentially, it states "stuff happens." Sometimes we can exert a bit of control over the stuff that happens, but, ...

misterpessimistic wrote:I talked to the people at the library I work for now and I was told I can donate a copy of your book for the stacks. So I will be doing this with your book asap George!!


Mr. P.

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.

George

Of course, there is a difference between saying we "agree to disagree" and stating that "reasonable people will disagree." Actually, I'm more familiar with the expression "reasonable people can disagree without being disagreeable about it." In strong disagreements, when...

What I am getting at is that we measure intelligence on factors that are important in our society.... is the way we measure intelligence flawed? That was one of the themes of Stephen Jay Gould's The Mismeasure of Man . One of the great dangers inherent in scientific reseach is the tendency to leap ...

Mr. P. Thanks for the thought. One way to help a book get distribution is to request it at libraries in your area. I would be interested to know if anyone finds either of my books in any public library. Of course, if no one is asking for them, they aren't likely to turn up. Since I'm an unknown and ...